Conversation with good Democratic friends. It's frustating

[edhopper]

Last edited Thu Mar 28, 2024, 09:06 AM - Edit history (1)

Them: I will vote for Biden, but I wish we had other choices.
Me: Why?
Them: He's old.
Me: But he has been a very effective President. He has passed the Infrastructure Bill, which they have been trying to do for years. He lowered inflation with the Inflation Reduction Act. He got us over COVID. He is respected around the World. He is still vibrant. He is a passionate, good man.
Them: Yes that is all true, but he is old.

AARRGGHH!!!!



Added.
For those who responded that I shouldn't be concerned because these friends are voting for Biden, this post isn't about them. Do you think that there are not others that might stay home with the same concerns. I am not worried about my friends, I and worried about the millions of others who think this about Biden.

[gab13by13]

1. I say Trump is old too and keep repeating it.

[AllaN01Bear]

17. t... is falling apart b4 our eyes .

also , lets see some of those ultra overweights ride a bike like joe does . i doubble dog dare ya. neiner neiner. i know it would kill me and im at 215 lbs at 5 foot 7 inch.

[Phoenix61]

2. Ageism at its finest. nt

[dalton99a]

3. Old man vs. Crazy old man who wants to kill you, rape your daughters, and burn your house down for shits and giggles

[DemocratInPa]

4. I am like this..

I like Biden and will support him, but don't understand why we can never get behind a younger candidate for this position. Obama was younger and amazing.

The person clearly says they are voting for Biden, not sure why we are always getting upset over this.

[edhopper]

7. Because there are other voters on the fence

and this nonsense could lose us the election.

[Cosmocat]

19. Correct

nm

[Cosmocat]

18. Big fan of BHO ... Joe has been just as good as he was

This bs over him and his age is a general weakness that dems always display, which is an advantage to Rs.

Rs scream stupid ass shit about Ds, people cede ground on them to be "fair minded."

Did the same thing with Hillary.

Hillary, like Joe is a decent person and a very savvy and effective civil servant.

Would have been a darn good POTUS.

But, Rs threw out all kinds of BS over her for years and you saw Ds like, gee, I guess I will vote for her.

When you are talking 10s of millions of votes with close margins, this has an impact, which it did with enough "middle' voters to vote for trump or not for Hillary.

Just had a go round with a winger on FB, spewing stupidity about Biden, with Ds bemoaning not having any better choice, flat out said Joe is a good man and darn good POTUS, he lost his mind, but then some of the Ds who were weak on Joel got firmer.

No need to equivicate on this.

Joe is 1,000,000,000 times better than the other option.

Say that and leave it at that, cause it displays a surety and belief that will effect those around you.

They want us mealy mouthing Joe ...

[IbogaProject]

25. I wasn't a fan in 2020

But Joe Biden has been a great president. Could he have tried to do more? Theoretically yes, but he was clipped at the wings by the two fake D Senators. He wanted the two biggest spending bills ever to be even bigger but they were cut way down. But overall he has been totally great. I focus on that Joe got the economy straightened out and is fixing all our bridges. TSF couldn't even bother to do an infrastructure week because he refused to be willing to negotiate about it. He just wandered around like a stupid dog chasing his tail every month and it was all self serving publicly stunts.

[Envirogal]

27. Joe Biden is a better president

Barack Obama was amazing but he didn’t know how to fight, hence the name No Drama Obama. Joe Biden is the best president of my lifetime and he knows how to fight the bastards since he’s been Office since he’s been in his late 20s. He had youth at a pivotal time and it’s paying off dividends now for us being so seasoned.

Don’t forget the Democratic Party lost 1,000 seats across the country during President Obama’s term.

No one is talking about Bobby Kennedy Jr. age at 70 with no executive or political experience. That is a very short runway ramp up. Hence this is all ageism while ignoring the value of this kind of experience—both for the country and the party.

The state of Iowa reelected Chuck Grassley for a six-year Senate term at age 89 and no one said much about that. And Grassley is a traitor. Trump is old and cognitively impaired but he’s so bombastic and distracting that that age issue doesn’t stick to him. Bernie Sanders would also get a pass on his age today because people like him.

So age standards are apparently selective.

[Bettie]

61. Biden is better at

moving the levers of government. He knows the bureaucracy and how to work within it to make things happen.

Obama didn't have the years of working within it. Obama also really believed that they would do things for the benefit of the country.

They won't. Ever. I think Biden understands that.

[DENVERPOPS]

47. Sorry

but Obama was incredibly naive about the presidency and the way things work in Congress. He was a brilliant orator and did a great job. But I don't think you can equate the wealth of EXPERIENCE that Biden has brought to the job. Obama didn't face near the amount of shit that the Republicans have and still do throw at Biden.......

The thing I hear most often, even from Dems who are all in on Biden, is they wish that he had a stronger AND MORE EXPERIENCED VP in case something happens to him......

I think when Biden was elected, Dem voters knew that he was stable and experienced vs some of the other candidates running in the Dem Primaries.........Many who had great ideas, but many who were too idealistic, and in no way were as experienced as Biden.......

Oh, and my feelings are that THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE in recent history was Hillary Clinton, with her vast background of knowledge and experience......If you throw out all the Republican Voting Corruption in the 2016 election.....SHE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Citizens United" was the kiss of Death for our Democracy, which allowed for all this we are seeing......

Katie Bar The Door folks.....every day until the election the Repubs will throw everything they've got to win this election. No matter how devious, criminal, corrupt, immoral, un-ethical, deceptive......The day/night the 2024 election takes place, we will see the Republicans "Act Out" like nothing we have ever seen in the history of the U.S. And we will see it, whether Trump wins or loses, either way.
With the Treasonous Insurrection of J6, I can only imagine what will take place if Biden wins again. And it won't only be at our Nation's Capital in Washington DC, it will be in every State Capitol across the nation especially in BLUE STATE Capitols....

I hope I am way off base with that prediction....................

[rso]

5. RSO

It’s fine as long as they vote for him. As the choice becomes more in focus, reluctant voters will realize that Biden is the only hope.

[edhopper]

8. We hope.

But the Media is doing everything to swing them the other way.

[Random Boomer]

30. Exactly this

I don't give a flying fig whether Democratic voters are enthusiastic about Biden or resigned to him as their only choice, as long as they VOTE for him.

I wasn't very happy about voting for Biden back in 2020; he was not on my list of people I wanted as president. I voted for him anyway for obvious reasons, and in the interim I've come to really appreciate the experience and spirit he has brought to the job.

For me personally, come November, I'll be voting enthusiastically for Biden, but again, that doesn't matter as long as he gets my vote.

[Joinfortmill]

6. Media doesn't help. As long as they vote.

[redqueen]

9. Hell at least they're not vilifying him about rent, grocery prices, etc.

It's already old. I'm gonna be sick of it by November.

[CrispyQ]

14. We need major campaign finance reform & we should include clearly defined campaign seasons, too.

A lot of voter apathy could be minimized if we had shorter campaign cycles. Trump's presidential campaign will have been two fucking years long by the time we vote. In his case, though, I believe it's working against him. There's Trump fatigue across the land. There are a ton of folks who don't love or hate him but just wish he'd just STFU.

But we need shorter campaign seasons.

[Voltaire2]

10. Sorry but I agree. We desperately need younger people in leadership roles.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. So's Harrison Ford, Mick Jagger, and Paul McCartney.

[usonian]

12. Darwinism.

If younger people who were any better, more accomplished, or more able to win, ran for the nomination they'd be the nominee.

That's how he won it in the first place.

Do you abandon your older Ferrari for a Tesla that shorts out in the car wash, rear-ends buses, hits pedestrians, goes up in flames, and whose roof flies off?

(These have happened)

[mucifer]

13. Please keep reminding them to vote.

These are the kind of people who might stay home

[Mariana]

64. They told edhopper they would vote for Biden.

Harassing them isn't going to help Biden or anyone else.

[mucifer]

65. GOTV is a very important tool. Reminding people on election day is what

Democrats do. I did it in Indiana for Obama in 2008 We knocked on doors for people who voted in the past for dems just to remind them to vote. If it didn't work, I doubt the party would have us do it.

These days I'm too intimidated by magas to go door to door. That's on me. I'm not proud of it.

[EarlG]

16. If "Joe Biden is doing a good job" isn't breaking through, try this?

You have a choice of two candidates this year -- Biden or Trump. But the winner will not be eligible to run again in 2028, having served two terms. So in just a couple of years time, there will be very competitive presidential primaries on both sides of the aisle. This will involve a large cast of candidates from both parties, which will be a mix of experienced politicians but also young, fresh candidates -- it will be an exciting time, with lots of choices.

That's the election you're dreaming of, right? Well unfortunately it cannot happen this year. But the good news is that it can and will happen next time around, and that process is going to start sooner than you think.

However, it can only happen in 2028 if Trump is defeated this year. If Trump becomes president again there is no guarantee that there will be elections in 2028. He's already said he would like an unconstitutional third term, he praises dictators who have shut down elections in their countries, and you saw what he did on January 6.

So the good news is, you can have that dream election with a large selection of excellent candidates to choose from -- in fact, it's just around the corner! But the only way you can GUARANTEE that outcome is if Biden wins this year. Because if Trump wins, all bets are off.

[Mariana]

33. Better yet, stop arguing with people who are going to vote for Biden!

Them: I will vote for Biden

This is the only thing that matters.

[camartinwv]

20. I have the exact same feeling. Joe Biden is the best even in his older years.

Our country needs Joe Biden badly.

[orwell]

21. Two things are true...

...he has been a great president, a transformative president.

And he is clearly old.

He would be walking away with this election if he was 10 years younger.

We can call it ageism, but age has both benefits and drawbacks.

[jmbar2]

22. It's all about the back bench

Statistically, one or both are at higher risk of dying during the next 4 years. Then what? It's all about the team, IMO.

Do you want your country run by the foreign powers, grifters and christofascists who are using tRump to overthrow democracy? Or the competent, caring people chosen by Biden?

tRump's utility is over once they put their people in power. He will drift away and die on a golf course while global evildoers destroy this county.

If something happens to Biden, his team will continue to fight for democracy and the American people. It's that simple.

[NanaCat]

23. I've stopped justifying it

When people bring up his age, I respond with: 'And? So? I don't give a bloody toss about his age. I only care if he knows what he's doing--which he does, and that he's not a traitor. What the bloody F is wrong with you that you're so nonchalant about a traitor who's too stupid to breathe becoming President?'

[All Mixed Up]

24. If they're going to vote Biden, who really cares if they're not 100% happy with him?

I'd take a meh Biden voter over someone who's content with him but apathetic to voting entirely.

[intheflow]

26. As long as they vote for Joe, who cares if they think he's too old?

It will be his last term regardless.

Also, what is it about his age that bothers them? Is it that he might croak in office and Kamala will take his place? Because I don't see what the problem is. We have a system to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in case of presidential death (which can come at any time, for any president, like, JFK - 46 when killed - or Lincoln, who was 56). People say Biden's too old, but what they really mean, consciously or unconciously, is that they don't believe Kamala (a woman of color) is qualified to lead the nation.

[riverbendviewgal]

31. She is capable.

California is bigger than many countries. She was the Attorney General of California. That is huge.

She would fill in Biden’s shoes if necessary.

[riverbendviewgal]

28. Death and sickness can occur at any age.

My son never was sick and he was in good health until he died of glioblastma multiform brain tumor. He was at work and had his first seizures ever. He died 18 months later at age 26. My Husband was diagnosed with non Hodgkins lymphoma 3 months after our son was diagnosed. He died 18 months after our son died. He was age 54.. My grandfather died at 86 of a heart attack while he was getting dressed for work. They all had sound minds and no health problems until their end.

Biden has a sound and sane mind. I am 76. He is in better shape than me. America has prospered under Biden.

[nowforever]

29. I guess everyone hates their Grandparents

Their old too. Biden was once brash and young now he is older and wiser.

[Mariana]

32. Them: I will vote for Biden.

So, why are you arguing with these people?

[honest.abe]

37. But will they go out of their way to vote?

What if its a nasty cold rainy day. Uninspired voters like this may not show up.

They need to be reminded that if Biden does not win we could be headed for America's first dictatorship and total control by the GOP.

Biden's age does not matter. We simply need to win.

[Lonestarblue]

34. And Jimmy Carter was helping build houses at 90. Age doesn't mean everything.

What Joe brings to the table is statesmanship, honor and integrity, experience, genuine caring for ways to improve people’s lives, and the respect of world leaders. That’s plenty for me.

[Silent Type]

35. If they are voting for Biden, I'm OK with people who have a few minor complaints.

[justaprogressive]

36. So your next line should be: how do you feel about the VP

Kamala Harris!

The Vice President isn't old (at least not very!)

[Johnny2X2X]

38. The "too old" crowd has died down for me

Don't hear it anymore. Biden getting out there more an campaigning combined with the SOTU speech has really eased those too old fears.

[Think. Again.]

39. You consider people who buy into and spread rightwing talking points...

...to be "good Democratic friends"?

Any good, or even half aware, person can see and knows that his age is obviously not affecting his work.

Any good Democratic knows that particular trope can be too damaging to just lightly discuss.

If they really said that, they might be less than honest with you about how much they lean Democratic.

[StarryNite]

40. The media made his age an issue.

The media is pulling their strings.

[Reader Rabbit]

41. Tell them their real problem, then, seems to be Kamala Harris

Uno Reverse them with a veiled implication of misogyny and racism. See how they respond.

[magicarpet]

42. Ageism it is giving the Fascists an inroad to disparage and utimately try to destroy Biden.

We can not advance or support that concept. Negative energy begats negative energy - this is what ReThugs and Fascists thrive upon.

Give them an inroad to trash Biden and they will exploit the situation and seek to trash Biden much the same way they relentlessly trash HRC.

Do not let them identify and harp upon a preceived weakness or chink in the armor - because they will exploit it to the death.

Do not hand them the ammunition. Because the bullets you share with them will be craftily aimed at your head, in the hopes of achieving your political demise and hand the Fascists positive political advantages to use against you, tear you down, and inflict incrimental damages that ultimately add up to your political destruction.

Do not put fuel in the gasoline tank of the steam-roller that the Fascists
intend to use to roll over and crush you.

[Basic LA]

43. I tell them to vote for the party, not the person.

Galls me how people are ignorant of our two different governing philosophies. The 'D' and the 'R' after the name tells you everything. Dems gave us Social Security & Medicare & Unions & VA benefits & 8hr work days & Equal Rights & on and on. Republicans gave us tax cuts for the rich.
Make your own list. It's about the Party, the individuals come & go. Biden's an old Democrat. In this race, as in any other, it's the party that matters.

[lindysalsagal]

44. People are whiners. They'll find something to bitch about. Weather. Prices. Doesn't matter.

[Mblaze]

45. What I find to be most important

Is that President Biden has finally upended the ludicrous concept of “supply-side trickle-down economics” and promoted “Bidenomics” which realizes that the consumer is the real engine of the economy rather than the corporations and works to enlarge the middle-class. That’s a major change for our society.

Isn’t that what Democrats have been waiting for since Reagan? Shouldn’t he be rewarded for that potentially generational change with another term in which he can firmly establish that change?

[betsuni]

51. Democratic administrations do not follow supply-side trickle down unregulated economic policies, why

the economy grows during Democratic administrations (Clinton, Obama, Biden), and crashes during Republican ones.

Nobody should listen to those old baseless "corporate Dems" "neoliberals" "ignoring the working/middle class" "corrupt" BS insults accusing the Democratic Party of having the same economic policies as Republicans. They have not and do not. Biden is continuing Democratic policies.

[Sympthsical]

46. Take the win

Not everyone is going to think as glowingly about a favorite politician.

It's like my niece. She's obsessed with Taylor Swift. Knows all the things about her. Will not stop gushing. Greatest artist who ever lived in all history ever.

I say I like some of her stuff and listen to it often enough. "No, tio. She's the best." "Yeah, she's a'right." "No, she's better than anything you had growing up." "She's not bad." "No . . ."

Oh my god, take the win and stop coming at me. Do you want me to start talking shit about Taylor Swift out of spite? Because I will.

(And I do. Just to get her started, because it's funny watching her get worked up about it)

[live love laugh]

48. So Is Trump!

[W_HAMILTON]

49. They had other options.

About two dozen of them in 2020 and even a few this year.

More people voted for Biden than any of them, so, here we are!

If they claim to espouse Democratic -- and democratic! -- ideals, then they will vote for Biden because he does as well. As would presumably anyone that Democrats voted to be their standard-bearer.

You should ask them exactly how his age has negatively impacted his performance in office, by the way. As should anyone anytime brings up his age.

Spoiler alert: it hasn't.

[Nanjeanne]

50. They said they would vote for him. So it's good. He is old. That's a fact. I also wish we had younger exciting

bold and visionary choice. But we don’t. We have an old white decent man who (in most cases) I align with his policies. So I will vote for him as well. Wishing for something different is a valid wish.

Your friends said they will vote for him. I can’t imagine a reason to bang your head. It’s a good thing.

[edhopper]

58. Do you think they are unique?

Do you think that there are not others that might stay home with the same concerns. I am not worried aboout my friends, I amd worried about the millions of others who think this about Biden.

[Nanjeanne]

62. I don't know if they are unique or not. I do know lots of people that wish we had choices that were younger

but I don't know anyone who isn't voting for Biden. Of course, I don't have many Republican friends so none of my friends who are Democrats are staying home.

What I do know is that, if Democrats are staying home - it's Biden and the Democratic Party who need to reach them. I don't have much sway with them.

[Mariana]

63. I am not worried aboout my friends

So why are you arguing with them?

[betsuni]

52. "I wish we had other choices" sounds like they're shopping, being picky about just the right brand.

Complicated customized coffee drinks with a splash of this and a dribble of that made with beans from the shady side of the mountain only or whatever, dozens of kinds of every product, substitutions in restaurants, have it your way. Americans are weird about this.

About "But he's old," I always think: Oh, these are the same people who'll watch the same TV show for a decade or more and beg for reunions or movie versions with the same old characters, movie franchises with the same aging actors, still love the same aging rock stars. They're very loyal then, no "new faces" or "new blood" needed!

I get touchy when people use to word "fan" to describe supporting a politician. Like saying you're a fan of your doctor. They're working for you, not an entertainer.

[CTyankee]

53. I would say "OK, and IF he dies or is incapacitated we would then get our FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT."

That should seal the deal right there...

[Jilly_in_VA]

54. Hell, I'M old!

I'm as old as Joe, I've got all my marbles, I do volunteer work, and a whole lot of other stuff. I may not run a country, but I can run a lot of other stuff and keep more than a few balls in the air. He can keep more than I can in the air and knows how to get people who can when he is too busy to keep the others going. So hell yeah, I'll vote for him!

[Stuart G]

55. Joe Biden is ........."OUR ONLY HOPE" !!

No one else will do...!

[edhopper]

59. Thanks Princess Leah.

[Scrivener7]

56. I'd just listen to the "I will vote for Biden" part and call it a win.

[elias7]

57. And if he dies or becomes incapacitated, we get Kamala. Win win.